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“I’ve turned to her for advice many times in the past," said John McCain of his VP pick, Sarah Palin.
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John McCain said Wednesday that he has turned to Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for advice on foreign policy issues “many times in the past.”

“She has the world view that I have and is very highly qualified and very knowledgeable,” McCain said during an interview on NPR.

“I’ve turned to her for advice many times in the past, I can’t imagine turning to Senator [Barack] Obama or Senator [Joe] Biden because they’ve been wrong,” the Arizona senator said of his running mate. “I certainly wouldn’t turn to them, and I’ve already turned to Governor Palin particularly on energy issues and I’ve appreciated her background and knowledge on that and many other issues.”

McCain said his running mate’s energy experience “extends to a wide variety of issues” including “her world view of the threats we face from radical Islamic extremism.”

The GOP nominee defended Palin from the flak she has taken over her frequently cited claim that Alaska’s proximity to Russia gives her foreign policy credentials.

“Well I think the fact is that they have had certain relationships, but that’s not a major reason she has stated,” McCain said. “I’m very proud of her and proud of the knowledge and background she has.”

After defending his running mate’s credentials, the Arizona senator chided the media and his Democratic opponents for questioning Palin’s experience by comparing her situation to those faced by Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton during their runs to the White House.

“Some people, when Ronald Reagan came out of California, thought he was totally unqualified,” McCain said. “I remember an obscure governor of the state of Arkansas that people said was unqualified. So this kind of thing goes on, usually at Georgetown cocktail parties.”

Readers' Comments (393)

I'm sure Palin will do just fine... christ... she has been practicing for a week now. But to say that McCain sought Palin's ear many times.... what the heck does that mean... He nibbled on it while grabbing her but??? He certainly didn't seek her guidance on the economy or better yet the Russian/Georgian conflict.

That's why you are unfit for the Office senator McCain. Turning to Palin is not acceptable. Instead of saying she is learning quickly by January she will be ready you are telling us you've turned to her.

Wow.... it's REALLY comforting that he sought the advice of a total numbskull on some of the most important issues of our time. That is so reassuring. Dear God. Here's McCain's probem: The Palin pick was a fatal error and as obligation dictates that he defend her, he's dragged down the tubes with her. Good riddance. It's so beautiful seeing the repub campaign implode for once.

As I've said, I started this political season very excited that John McCain was the GOP candidate. Finally, someone with common sense, backbone and experience to vote for! Shockingly, his campaign has had the exact opposite effect on me. I have been forced to reconsider my long held opinion of him and now view his "maverick" status as potentially just a craving for drama and the spotlight. His choice of Sarah Palin started my withdrawal. At the very least, her evident lack of national and world issues (understandable given her life confined to Idaho and Alaska--two strikingly beautiful yet unquestionably remote states) HAD to be acknowledged. Instead, they keep trying the "pay no attention to the man behind the curtain" routine. This latest bit--that McCain is seeking national and international advice from Palin--leaves me speechless. A President must seek wise counsel. His choice of source of input is critical (one might say it was Bush's downfall on various past blunders such as Iraq and Katrina). McCain's judgment was questionable in selecting Palin; his judgment in consulting her in areas clearly outside her mastery is beyond rationality. Never in my life has a campaign worked so effectively to drive me away from a candidate. I remain simply amazed.

So McCain sought out her views "many times" on "many issues"? Please. That's absurd on its face. He only met her twice before offering her the job! And moreover, why would he turn to her on "energy issues" if he's concerned about global warming and she's one of the dead-enders who continues to deny it? There's only so much this can be spun, Mac!

John McCain said Wednesday that he has turned to Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for advice on foreign policy issues “many times in the past

For a guy who said recently on 60 Minutes that he has "only known her twice", he seems to be voicing his disturbing fantasies about Palin. Is he serious???? How could he have sought out her advice "many times" if he hardly knew her. The man is completely lost. Please. Enough.

Oh, I can't stop laughing. I doubted McCain's judgment before, but now I have no doubts. He is not fit to be president if he is relying on her for advice. And I think McCain owes women of all political stripes an apology for appearing on Katie Couric's show next to Palin, as if he were Daddy coming to her rescue. It makes me ill. And she should be ashamed of herself. "Gotcha" journalism coming from a question from the crowd, a crowd that she so pathetically panders to with the same lines from the convention speech that was written for her? I don't think so.

John McCain is trying to defend the fact that he made the worst VP pick in PRESIDENTIAL HISTORY. This is a direct reflection of his judgment and it is costing him dearly in the polls. What seemed to be an energizer for the GOP is turning into a liability. Don't let the economy crisis fool you. Sarah Palin is the main reason why John McCain is loosing in the polls. Not even the GOP can imagine Sarah, "I can see Russia from my house," Palin as the Commander n Chief in one of the most testing times in American History.

I can't get over this clip of Sarah Palin on CBS with Katie Couric. No, it's not her infamous Russia answer nor her inexplicable financial bailout response. It's not her latest admission that she doesn't really read any newspapers (my God woman, just name your local paper in Alaska! How dumb are you?). It's an overlooked clip from the original Couric interview about Hamas.

This answer should simply disqualify her from the race. Game over. Go home.

A rather impressive claim - seeing how he only spoke to her once before naming her as his runnning mate. But hey - it's not like we actually expect the republicans to start telling the truth after they've made lying the central pillar of their campaign.

I heard the Steve Inskeep interview on "Morning Edition" earlier today (link:http://www.npr.org/templ... It reminded me very much of Karl Rove's notorious Election Eve 2006 "my math" interview with NPR predicting Republican victory. As toasted as McCain sounded this morning, I don't think this race is over however. There are still about four weeks to go, so anything is still possible. I'm also as certain as the dead rising on Halloween that the McCain camp will try to bring abortion and gay marriage forefront into the issues mix right around trick or treat time. I'm sure that's why he has sought Palin's ear so many times already.